Shahir Hamzah and Fairoz Hasan go back to Hougang United roots

By Kenneth Tan
Goal.com

Photo: Kenneth Tan

The 2012 S.League season may have just ended but for an aspiring club like Hougang United, preparations for the 2013 season is already underway.

18 men were gathered for their first pre-season training on Monday evening at the Khalsa Association and there were plenty of new faces spotted, although regulars like Ridzuan Fatah Hasan, Mamadou Diallo, Hasree Zais and Basit Hamid were missing due to personal reasons.

With Guinean striker Diallo the only one retained from the foreign legion of 2012, there will now be space for four more foreigners to join the 2013 team.

Five foreign trialists were spotted gearing up during the training session as they vied to impress new coach Alex Weaver.

Among the five, there was a familiar face in Adrian Butters. The towering centre back made 10 appearances for Woodlands Wellington last season before leaving in the mid-season transfer window.

Hougang United FC Transfer News 2012

LATEST UPDATES

03 Jan 2012 - The arrival of the Croatian duo Ante Barac (Midfielder) and Stanislav Vidakovic (Centerback).

12 Dec 2011 - The following players have confirmed their 2012 season with Hougang United FC. Please stay tune to this page for more transfer news.

	IN	TEAM	POSITION
	Ridhwan Osman Nurhilmi Jasni Rhysh Roshan Rai Shamil Sharif Ng Jiafa Ante Barac Stanislav Vidakovic	Balestier Khalsa     Balestier Khalsa     SAF     Tanjong Pagar     Tanjong Pagar     HNK Hajduk Split     Free agent	Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Goalkeeper Midfielder Defender

	OUT	TEAM	POSITION
	Ratna Suffian Shariff Abdul Samat Shahril Alias Fathi Yunus Fadhil Salim Aqhari Abdullah Md Noor Ali Carlos Alberto Delgado Vitor Borges Diego Gamma de Oliveira	Retired      N.A          N.A      Retired      N.A       Courts Young Lions         N.A       N.A      PSIS Semarang      Arema	Defender Defender Defender Defender Goalkeeper Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Striker Striker

29 Nov 2011 - Former Woodlands Wellington coach Nenad Bacina likely to be appointed new head coach of Hougang United FC for season 2012 . (SOURCE)

Hougang United FC to boost fan base

Hougang United FC will be vying to increase it's club membership as well as to boost crowd attendance for the coming S-League season 2012.

Although relatively small in terms of financial standings, the club's image & branding overhaul and an uncanny player-fan relationship have brought about a completely fresh look to the North-Easterners.

On the pitch, the Cheetahs have been transformed from the perennial minnows of yesteryears to an invigorated attacking unit and have secured no less than 15 wins and accumulating 43 points - 48 if you consider the docked points; compared to the 2010 season in which they managed only 7 wins and 27 points. She has sinced climbed to the highest 7th position in her S-League footballing history.

This year, the club has also finished runners-up in the Singapore League Cup and also came in 4th in the RHB Singapore Cup. It has been an encouraging season so far.

Off the pitch, an injection of fan involvement a.k.a 'HOOLs' has also emerged in the form of chanting and singing in the stands. The management at helm are very aware of this and intend to draw more like-minded fervent fans to supplement this culture.

How the club goes about in it's advertising campaign, I have no idea yet, but I do know that the above ingredients make for an even more exciting 2012 for Hougang United. :)

Stay tuned for more updates...

Striker Vitor Borges signs on for Hougang United whilst Kobayashi leaves for Woodlands

Update 30.06.2011 (Hougang United have also signed centerback Sharil Alias.)

I've just recieved word that Japanese defender Fumiya Kobayashi has been released from Hougang United and will be moving to Woodlands Wellington, whilst Brazilian striker Vitor Borges has joined the Cheetahs from Balestier Khalsa.

I would like to thank Koba for being a solid rock at the back 4 and his services during his stay in Hougang United and wish him all the best in his career at Woodlands Wellington. You will be missed Koba :)
And also a warm welcome to Vitor Borges. May he provide extra fire power upfront and help the Cheetahs charge up the table; a season absolutely ground breaking for Hougang United. :)

C'mon Hougang! C'mon Hougang! C'mon Hougang!